Residents were sent away because of the ‘chemical incident’, while police officers, firefighters and bomb disposal experts were at the scene.

A cordon was set up for more than five hours, and Spike Island in Cumberland Road opened its doors to welcome disposed residents.

Officers found an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a flat in Kingdom House, and Francis was arrested on the same night. The cordon was finally lifted around 1.15am, after a thorough search of the premises.

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Francis, 21, has pleaded guilty to arson, threat to damage or destroy property and providing false information about a bomb hoax.

A spokesman for the police said after the incident: “The EOD (Explosives Ordinance Disposal) had carried out a detailed examination of the flat at the centre of the incident in Gas Ferry Road and given the all-clear.

Gas Ferry Road residents being allowed back to their homes (Image: Michael Yong)

“Once again we apologise for the inconvenience caused during the operation and thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the operation.